These days you can pick up a phone or turn on a computer and see photos and virtual tours of homes. It’s fun to surf the internet for your dream home, and make plans on what you could do with it after making it yours. Shopping this way also lets you look at homes anonymously at all hours of the night.

So when you get ready to buy, why should you hire a Realtor?

The better question is “Why Not?” Usually the seller has already agreed to pay the fees up front, so most of the time it’s doesn’t cost you more to hire someone. It can easily cost you a lot more not having a Realtor. Here’s how.

1) professional negotiators.

Most real estate agents love negotiating. Since the home has a list price, the ball is already in the buyer’s court. You’ll need to start off by making an offer. Having a professional build that offer usually make a huge difference. Having a professional handle negotiations on your behalf allows you to get what you want, without being the “bad guy”.

2) KNOW THE MARKET

The real estate market changes constantly. Locally prices can fluctuate in certain neighborhoods, and when interest rates change, prices can be affected nationally. Realtors constantly monitor these changes so they can help the buyers make the right offer based on the markets conditions. Realtors will know which homes are priced too high, which homes are priced right, and which homes are priced too low for the neighborhood they are in. Beyond pricing, Realtors also know which homes have the things most important to you. Do you need a house that has room for your pool table? Want to move to the neighborhood with the best schools? Looking for a place with more privacy? Realtors can help you narrow down your search quickly.

3) MLS ACCESS

The Multiple Listing Service is one of the best tools that Realtors have. It allows Realtors to communicate with each other about new listings, open houses, price reductions, and much more. There are other online search tools similar to the MLS which are available to the general public. On the other hand, the MLS is the most comprehensive but it’s not normally available to buyers without a Realtor.

4) Paperwork

The amount of paperwork involved in a real estate transaction is enormous. Components like offers, counter offers, inspections, disclosures, repair requests, financing documents, homeowner restrictions, and legal documents can all be as thick as magazines. All you have to do is miss one small item contained in any of these important documents and the next thing you know…the whole deal can come apart. Having professionals checking these documents on your behalf is one of the best reasons to hire a Realtor.

5) AVOIDING CLOSING PROBLEMS

When it comes time to close, anything can go wrong. The bank financing the home may not be on schedule. There could be a problem with the title. There may be any number of professionals involved in any deal, and just as many unexpected issues that could come up with any of them. You need someone with experience to carefully coordinate the transaction to keep things moving smoothly. A lot could go wrong, and Realtors are experts at knowing what to do when these things come up, to get things back on track.  

6) PROFESSIONAL NETWORK

Realtors have a network of other professionals they work closely with. There’s an inner network of other Realtors and Brokers that they interact with, sharing information about properties and neighborhoods. They also have an outer network of professionals you are going to need when purchasing a home. Your real estate agent is connected to professionals in the lending community, real estate lawyers, home inspectors, interior decorators, contractors, and even quality moving companies. Not only can they save you time trying to find these professionals, they also know which of these professionals have the best reputations.

7) SPOT POTENTIAL PROBLEMS

Buyers are looking for homes for sale that are in good condition, so you don’t have to spend money on repairs after you’ve just paid for the house. Some problems might not cross your mind though, or may be hiding out of site and which could have potentially disastrous hazards. Realtors have trained eyes that can identify potential problems that you may not see, like furnace issues, roofing problems, leaks, mold, and insect issues. Realtors can often spot these issues before you see them in a home inspection report, which can save you the time and expense when a home will need more updates than you want to pay for later.